Guide to Ride-Sharing via Uber and Lyft

Thanks to technology, websites, apps, and online services are making our lives easier. Ride-sharing has revolutionized the way that we commute and hail rides to go to the places we want to. It has also provided another stream of income for car owners and drivers who are willing to drive around town and take people places.

If you want to enter this brave new world of transportation, here is our guide to ride-share services via Uber and Lyft.

Benefits of signing up for ride-share services

If you are looking for some ways to make money-whether full time or part time, ride-sharing is a great option. It had been used by college students, by unemployed individuals who own a car, and by full-time office workers looking for gas money.

It’s true, ride sharing can be taxing and will demand time. But that’s the beauty of it, you set your own time and you can work as much or as little as you want to. The amount of money you make will depend on the number of hours you work and some factors on their algorithm.

For the basics, a ride-sharing app is a service that allows drivers to find potential passengers. On the other side of the app, passengers can find a ride to take them where they want to go. These apps–Uber and Lyft are the most popular in the USA–also have builtin tracking feature (through GPS) which allows the user to track their ride. This technology also enables the driver to locate the passenger and their destination.

These apps remove the hassle of finding a taxi during peak hours. However, they have a surge system in place to account for the peak hours. For the user, the convenience of a ride is guaranteed at the doorstep, and for the driver, business is directly brought to him.

Why should you sign up as a driver/partner for Uber or Lyft?

Here are a few benefits of signing up for ride-share services:

Easy Entry

Driving for a taxi company has its share of problems. It requires you to have a commercial driving license, which is a time-consuming process. But there are no fees involved if you want to drive using a ride-share service. You will undergo a background check, of course, but this is usually completed online and will be done by the ride-share company.

Uber and Lyft has a cut off of the model year of cars they accept in the system. But if you have a fairly new car (about 10-15 years old), you can still join the program.

Flexibility

There are no fixed schedules or hours designated for a driver providing ride-sharing service. You can choose to work according to your schedule and designate the number of hours you want to work. You can do it after working a full day at the office. Or you can also work at night until the wee hours of the morning. In many cases, you can also choose the neighborhoods you would want to drive in. Bonus points if you live near an airport. If you want to take a break in between, it is easy to do so – all you need to do is switch off the app.

Cashless system

The transactions are cashless. This ensures the safety of the drivers as they do not have to carry any cash in the vehicle. It is also easier for passengers who believe in going digital. Everything is handled inside the app.

Convenient Pick Up

The apps enable the driver to calculate the exact time required to pick up a passenger. It cuts down the need of a dispatcher or supervisor as in radio taxis. Directions are mapped precisely, thanks to GPS technology. Although, GPS can be wonky at times, it is also easy to get in touch with the driver or the passenger from within the app.

Bonus packages for signing up:

There are several bonuses on offer that you can avail from if you sign up for the first time. Also, if you are switching from Uber to Lyft or vice versa you might be able to cash in some bonus packages. Lyft, for instance, is offering $500 sign-up bonus and it varies according to the city you are going to drive in.

Overall, ridesharing does help to cut down the traffic in the city and contributes to the general eco-system by making daily commute very convenient and simple.

Uber vs. Lyft

Uber and Lyft are the two dominant players in the ride-sharing industry. Both of them offer incentives to the drivers who sign up with them. Drivers also tend to moonlight between these two companies for maximum earnings. If you are thinking of signing up with either of these companies, you need to consider how they operate: for drivers and for commuters.

For Drivers:

Signing up:

Uber requires you to upload the documents for verification online – driver’s license, insurance papers, vehicle registration. Lyft, on the other hand, assigns a mentor who personally inspects your vehicle and helps initiate you into the system. The mentor also tests your driving skills as well as your understanding of traffic rules.

Driving support:

There is a standard support system available online for Uber. However, in the case of Lyft, a community support system is available and hence assistance and getting queries answered is more personal. Uber also keeps a tab on efficient braking and smooth acceleration.

Bonus packages:

Lyft, being relatively new, offers huge sign-up bonuses. There are also bonuses available for switching from Uber and other rideshare apps as well. Uber, in order to not fall behind in the competition, has introduced similar offers if you are making a switch.

Reach:

Uber has a wider outreach and is available in 58 countries, covering 300 cities. But Lyft has a local outreach in the US amounting to around 70 cities. So if you intend to drive in one city and then move to a different city, Uber may be a better option for you.

For passengers:

Surge Pricing:

Uber and Lyft usually have different pricing strategies but the overall cost for a customer is usually the same. In terms of warning the customer beforehand during surge pricing, Uber scores more.

App:

Both apps are user-friendly and there is not much of a difference. The process of hailing a ride is the same, and the overall user experience is great.

Tipping:

By riding Lyft, you can tip the driver. Whereas in the case of Uber, you can’t.

How to Sign up with Uber

The process for signing up with Uber is straightforward. It is not like applying for a job. You and your vehicle need to meet their minimum requirements. The information you need and the process to follow is clearly outlined in their website.

Eligibility for Uber:

Valued at $50 billion, Uber is one of the pioneers of the sharing economy business model. It is one of the leading players in the ride-sharing app business. So if you are thinking of signing up with Uber as a driver, you need to first understand if are an eligible candidate:

1. Age: You must be at least 21 years of age.

2. Experience: You need to have at least 1 year of driving experience in the US. If you are under 23, you need at least 3 years of experience.

3. Type of vehicle: A four-door vehicle with four passenger seats is the bare minimum requirement for the type of vehicle you can apply for. The base year of the model can vary according to the city requirements. In Houston, for instance, the base year needs to be at least 2007 or newer.

4. Background check: You must give your consent to a background check which would scan your previous driving experience. You will not be eligible if you have a history of the following:
• Drug related offences
• Fatal accidents
• Reckless driving
• Criminal record

Step by step guide:

2. Login with your credentials if you have already registered with them. Otherwise, create a fresh new account.

3. Filling in the correct city is mandatory and of utmost importance as every city would have different traffic rules.

4. Once you fill in the details, the requirements of your vehicle for the specific city will pop up. Click yes if your vehicle is eligible.

5. If you do not have a car, then click the,“I need a car” option.

6. Give your social security number. Without it, you will be ineligible for partnering with Uber in the US.

7. You will need to upload various documents like the driver’s license, vehicle registration and insurance proof. The documents required may vary according to the city you are applying in.

8. Download the Uber app on your smart-phone. If your phone has compatibility issues with the app, then you will need to rent a phone or buy a new one. Windows and Blackberry phones do not support this app.

9. After the formalities are complete, go to http://vault.uber.com – use your login credentials and fill your bank details for direct deposit in your bank account.

10. If you have any queries regarding the signing up process or face problems midway, you can always visit a Uber Greenlight location. This can be easily located on the Uber Help page. Almost every city has at least one Uber Greenlight service.

How to sign up with Lyft

Looking to sign up with Lyft? One of the more popular alternatives to Uber, it promises some great benefits to drivers. And unlike Uber, Lyft has remained mostly out of controversies, making it a great deal for many. So, how do you start your Lyft journey?

Since you are a first time applicant, you will be eligible for a sign-up bonus of up to $750. The promo code can be found online. There are also third party referral codes available. Bonuses are also available for those who have previously driven Uber and want to switch.

Eligibility:

There are certain requirements.

1. You need to be at least 21 years of age.
2. You need to have a valid license from the state of the city you will be applying in, for at least a year.
3. You need to have a clean driving record.

Getting started:

Start with the basics.

1. Fill up the details – name, email address, the city you will drive in and your phone number. Giving the correct city is very important as different cities will have different vehicle eligibility requirements and will run different background checks.

2. Read the terms and conditions carefully and if you agree to them, click yes. A verification code will be sent to your phone.

3. Complete the process by entering the verification code. Make sure the phone number you have entered is working.

Registering your vehicle with Lyft:

Progress to the specifics.

1. Now you have to enter the make, model and colour of the vehicle you are planning to drive.
2. Also, you would need to enter your driving license number, vehicle registration number and insurance information.
3. You do not have to upload any specific documents, and a mentor will be assigned to do these things on your behalf.

Consent to a background check:

Lyft carries out a thorough background check and you need to make sure that you have everything in order. Here is a list of the things that you need to do.

1. You have to agree to a background check of your driving history.
2. Once you consent to the same, the processing usually takes time.
3. Lyft would notify you whether you have passed the background test or not via an email.

Mentorship:

A Lyft mentor would schedule sessions with you. The mentor will do an initial verification of the vehicle, license, registration and insurance. He will take photos of the same and upload them on your behalf. He will also click your photo and link it to the driver profile. Then he will test-drive your vehicle and give you valuable tips on handling passengers and directions.
Once the sessions are over, the mentor will approve of you based on your documents and the eligibility of the vehicle for the city you are driving in.

You are ready to drive:

Download the Lyft app. Sign in with your credentials. A steering wheel icon will appear on the screen. Tap it, and you are now ready to drive.
Please ensure that your phone is compatible with the Lyft app. IOS 9.0+ or Android devices running 6.0+ are compatible with Lyft. If your phone is not compatible, you need to secure a new phone.

Apps for Rideshare drivers

There are a range of apps that exist to make driving easier and safer for Rideshare drivers. However you won’t be needing most of them and it is utterly difficult to make a choice as to which ones are absolutely essential. Who would want to jam his phone memory with unnecessary applications?

Here are a list of the apps that you definitely need:

1. Navigation apps:

In navigation, Google Maps and Waze are the two options from which you can choose. Waze comes with extra functionality. With its simple user interface, Google Maps has a very intelligent suggestion feature which helps in filtering out the addresses with simple keywords. Plus, it facilitates you to track real time traffic and your estimated time of arrival for all the possible routes to your destination.

This is where Waze shines by providing you more information like police patrolling, construction work (you would need to slow down) and other unforeseen problems which you need to include as a part of your traffic considerations. Sometimes, the extra features might become a distraction in peak hours but otherwise they do have their benefits and help you schedule your business day better.

2. Tracking mileage:

Stride Drive, Hurdlr, MileIQ and Triplog are some of the best mileage tracking apps to choose from. Manually keeping note of the miles you have driven is a time-consuming and laborious task. Besides saving time, they also helps you to be sure of the taxable amount and the deductions henceforth. The mileage apps automatically log your miles and help you keep a note of how your business is faring on a daily basis.

StrideDrive and Hurdlr automatically detect the moment you drive and every mile is hence logged. Hurdlr consumes very minimal battery life. MileIQ and Triplog are paid applications but they have inbuilt extra features and have been positively rated by a lot of drivers.

3. Financial logs:

QuickBooks Self Employed would enable you to keep a track of all your financial transactions. You can create different umbrellas for different rideshare expenses. This would definitely be helpful in a later stage in the form of tax savings. This is basically a form of passbook where you can make your own notes and store photos of your receipts.

Music has always been known to boost customer satisfaction. Spotify is definitely an app you would want to have if you want access to a variety of possible tastes of your customer.

5. Tracking gasoline rates:

In ridesharing, a few cents might add up to a fortune later on. GasBuddy helps you track the latest prices of gasoline in the area you are driving and enables you to make comparisons of the rates according to location.

6. Weather forecast:

To make the best out of surge pricing, a weather app might be the application you are looking for. When the downpour starts it is very difficult to find cabs and the demand is high. Hence knowing when to switch on your rideshare app and start driving is going to give you some extra bucks.

7. Roadside support:

Honk is very useful if you are stuck in an unforeseen circumstance. This app will allow you to fetch roadside assistance with just a click-be it a flat tire, empty tank, engine failure or an unfortunate accident.

You should also make sure that you have the app of your insurance provider on your phone, especially if you have roadside assistance included in your insurance.

8. Tracking airport schedules:

Airport pick-ups are a sure way to not run out of business. Having an idea of the airport schedules and the peak hours of the airport would keep you ahead in the game. These apps would update you with all the changes in flight schedules so you wouldn’t be left waiting in an airport when most flights have been cancelled/delayed due to inclement weather.

Applications exist to make your life easier. Let them do their work.

How to Maximize Your earnings with Uber and Lyft

Ridesharing will provide you with ample opportunities to run a profitable business. The catch is – how do you maximize the potential of these opportunities?

Don’t expect every day to be your best earning day. Here are some tips on how you can maximize earnings on your ride-share gig.

Sign up with Lyft initially.

Lyft has an amazing sign-up bonus for new drivers. You need to cash in on this initial start-up funding. If you don’t like using Lyft in the course of time, you can switch to Uber. This switch also has a good bonus in offer. Chances are that you might enjoy Lyft and also drive for Uber at the same time.

Referrals.

Referring a new customer/driver to a ridesharing app and helping them increase their customer base is what you essentially call lead generation. You will have a unique promo code and every time a new customer logs in using the same, you will get a bonus.

Your friends will definitely come handy if you want to increase your earnings. Use your network to earn extra money via referrals. Also ask your friends to share your promo code on their social media networks.

Choose long distances.

Driving in the heart of the city is definitely going to give you more rides but they will be shorter. Most short rides will provide you with only the base fare possible. In an hour, you will be able to do a maximum of 5 trips. If we consider Uber’s base fare (say in Orlando), it is $4.00. After doing the deductions, you would have something around $ 2.50. Now, this only amounts to only $12 per hour.

So which is better? Opting for longer rides and earning $15 each in two trips in an hour or 5 trips worth $12 an hour? In peak hours, the equation will be a bit skewed towards the busier parts of the city and surge pricing will help you maximize your earnings.

Work on weekends.

Working overnight on weekends is a big plus if you want to make the best out of the commuting business.

Drive during peak hours.

The traffic will be very annoying but the surge pricing will help you pay for the additional fuel and time.

Cut down on driving around to look for passengers:

It is better to stay put in an area where you expect passengers than to drive around looking for passengers. Also, know where to position your car. Uber chooses vehicles that are nearest to the passenger. Use the rider app and locate other vehicles. Position yourself in the pick-up point ahead of them. This is particularly useful in selectingpick-up points like the airport or the train station.

Do a lot of airport rides.

Maximize your earnings by doing more airport pick-ups and drops. Airport rides are definitely the icing on the cake when it comes to profit margins.

Customer satisfaction.

Deliver great customer service by making sure that your car is clean, you drive safely and comfortably, and that you provide additional amenities that will wow your riders. These will lead to positive rating by the customer. Stock up some good music and interact with the customer. But if the customer just wants to be quiet, you should also respect their wish. Lyft encourages tipping the driver. So a satisfactory ride might hand you a great tip.

Tips to become a great rideshare driver

Being great at rideshare driving doesn’t only require having good driving skills. It also means tapping the full potential of ridesharing features and topping the charts of customer satisfaction every time you drive. If you’re new to this, here are several tips and tricks to help you become a great ride-share driver.

Be a passenger before you get behind the wheels:

This is going to set you up with the driving community. You will get to experience how drivers handle driving and customer service. You will be able to feel and tell what gives certain drivers the edge when it comes to customer satisfaction. Talk to the drivers you get to ride with and ask them about the good and bad aspects of ride-share driving.

Lyft assigns a mentor to new partners. This mentor will test your driving skills and your vehicle. Taking notes from the mentor and keeping in touch with him post the approval can help you get into the groove of ridesharing.

Get the appropriate insurance coverage.

Rideshare apps have an in-house insurance protection scheme but that’s not enough. You need to have yourself covered by a third party agency for severe accidents. Contact your auto insurance provider so you can have the correct coverage in case you meet an accident while doing your job.

Keep a tab.

There are several mobile applications which can keep tab of your mileage and your financial transactions automatically. Use them to log your miles and also club your transactions. This will be an effective method to do some tax saving. In the case of small businesses, you can save taxes by showing proper receipts of your mileage and vehicle expenses.

Music

Try to have a playlist that works for a general audience. Or get an AUX cable that can connect to a passenger’s smart-phone and let them play the music they want. You can also ask them about their music preference and play those for them. Spotify has different playlists that can help you with this.

Keep water and snacks handy–for yourself and for the passengers.

Ensure that you stock water in your vehicle in a small cooler. You never know when a passenger might ask you for some drinking water. Also, as a driver it is necessary to keep yourself properly hydrated while working in busy hours. Stopping for lunch is a bad idea during peak hours when surge pricing is at its extreme. So keep snacks handy which you can eat on the go.

Keep track of the area you are driving in.

You need to be able to do your own survey of the area you are driving in – What are the peak hours? Which are the busiest spots? Is driving on weekends really profitable? How safe is the locality? It’s okay to depend on others–especially the friends you make in this business. But you should observe the areas that you frequently drive in so you would know the best times to drive.

Products that every rideshare driver should have

Ride-sharing has made commuting a convenient and simple affair. Passengers are now just a click away. But let’s proceed with caution. To tap the complete potential of ride-sharing, you cannot just make do with a car and a phone. You, as a driver, need to be equipped to make the best out of ride-sharing services for your convenience and for the passenger’s comfort. These ridesharing applications come in with a rating system and this rating system relies on customer service.

What you might need:

Ridesharing might sound simple, but customer service can get a bit tricky at times. So let’s find out how well equipped you need to be and what products are a must for you:

Smartphone mount

A mount that fixes your phone to the dashboard or the wind shield would enable you to look for directions while driving. This would ensure overall safety because a smart-phone otherwise can be very distracting if you decide to keep it on your lap. A passenger too would be able to track the directions in the comfort of his back seat. Your eyes will be on the road and your passenger will feel safer.

You can select from a range of mount options :

Magnetic mounts: Magnetic mounts would allow a driver to easily remove the phone from the mount to make a quick call or send an instant text while driving. But be sure that your phone doesn’t have a hard drive. Magnets can cause your hard drives to malfunction.

Flexible mounts: These mounts allow added flexibility and you can make adjustments such as extension arms to have easier access to the phone while driving.

Passengers often ask you for help in charging his/her phone. Now when it becomes an obligation, you need to have a phone charger in place to please the passenger. Also if you are working for long hours, you would need something that charges your own phone quickly. Having multiple ports would allow you to charge your phone along with your passenger’s. There might be situations when multiple passengers hop in to your car and require a charger. Then you won’t have to deny service even when your phone battery is about to die.

The charger shown below has multiple USB sockets, which is ideal if you have several passengers needing to charge their phones or devices.

AUX cable

Having an AUX cable would allow you to play music and entertain your customers by letting them connect their phones and listening to the music they would want to. Before buying, make sure the housings in the AUX cable are durable.

A dash cam would enable you to give evidence if you get involved in an accident owing to someone’s reckless driving. This would also make the passenger refrain from drinking alcohol or doing drugs while in the car.

The floor mats will keep your car clean. Be it a rainy day or a pick-up at the beach, the floor mats can be cleaned easily and they won’t let any dirt seepage into your car. This would also be a great help if you drive in the wee hours of the morning and you have a party-goer vomit inside your car.

Towels

A towel is another effective tool to keep your car clean. It protects the interior of your vehicle from stains and spillage.

Seat covers

Seat covers add class to your vehicle and contributes to the overall hygiene of the vehicle. They can serve as added protection for your seats and they can also help evoke class.

Motion-sickness (Barf/vomit) bags

A lot of passengers suffer from travelling sickness and hence having a throw up bag in your vehicle would help you accommodate such passengers more conveniently.

Business cards:

Keeping business cards in stock definitely helps to build your own customer base and maintain healthy relationships.
Try to cover all these bases so you can offer a smooth experience to your passengers.

How to take care of your car while driving for Uber and Lyft

Once your vehicle gets approved by Uber or Lyft, it is your responsibility to take proper care of the vehicle. Keeping a budget for regular maintenance will ensure great savings in the long run.

It doesn’t take much time for any vehicle–be it a luxury car or an SUV–to break down if you do not pay it the attention it demands. If you’re smart, you would know that the idea is to spend wisely now to avoid major repair expenses later. More importantly, if you don’take care of your car the right way, Uber and Lyft will catch you sooner than later, and may even suspend you.

Here is what you can possibly do to take care of your car while driving for Uber or Lyft:

Do not miss routine maintenance.

Your vehicle manual will list down the guidelines for maintenance. For a lot of vehicles, it is usually 15000 miles after which you need to go a routine check-up. Your vehicle warranty is usually dependent on the same. To cut down on expenses, you can find yourself an independent mechanic you can trust and avoid the dealer.

Oil it up.

Make sure you regularly change your motor oil and filter. Also refill your lubricants. That will ensure a smoother and hassle-free ride in the long run. You can also opt for a oil life monitor that would remind you when to change your oil based on the number of miles you have driven your vehicle for. The viscosity and color of the oil are important indicators when it comes to judging the quality of oil. In many cases, the oil needs to be changed even before the oil life monitor has directed you to do so.

Go easy on your engine.

Do not try to hastily switch on the engine if your engine isn’t starting. All it needs is a little time. Let the oil warm and lubricate the parts for the engine to start. Allow the car to warm itself up before you hit the accelerate button. Sometimes having a temperature gauge helps you know the optimum temperature for starting the car.

Monitor your tires.

Flat tires can take away half your business day if you are ridesharing. So you need to keep a tab on the air pressure in your tires. Also ensure that you have durable tires in place and you do not settle for cheaper options. Remember to maintain the optimum air pressure in the tires. To prolong their shelf life, you can opt for regular tire rotation. It will definitely up your fuel efficiency.

Check your brakes

Uber encourages you to brake efficiently and the reports are generated after you have completed a ride. Worn down brakes are highly unsafe. Hence it is better to know the signs beforehand and act accordingly. A squealing brake might mean that your brake pad has worn down. Braking efficiently would help you increase fuel efficiency and the longevity of the brake pads.

Use hand brakes.

Using your hand brake while parking might help to increase the longevity of your transmission. While parking on steep slopes, hand brakes are a must. Or else, you might end up in an unforeseen accident.

Give it a new dab of paint if your vehicle looks old. That’s more or less how you can keep your car hale and healthy. Uber offers a unique add-on to help you take care of your car by availing discounts under the Uber momentum scheme.

The Pitfalls and Dangers of Driving for Lyft and Uber

Ridesharing apps have opened a range of opportunities for drivers to create a successful business of their own. Apart from the flexible working hours, they also offer a lot of bonuses and promotional offers for the drivers. These user friendly apps have closed down the gap between drivers and passengers. To ride a taxi for a taxi company is full of legal and market hassles. But getting a permit to drive for Lyft and Uber is pretty simple. As these ridesharing companies keep growing, the benefits of working for them also increases. A lot of drivers now drive for both Lyft and Uber.

However, life is not a bed of roses – and driving for Lyft or Uber has its own perils and pitfalls.

Is it really safe out there?

Both Lyft and Uber maintain that the first priority is safety. But how are they ensuring the same. Yes the rating system is in place. The initial idea of the rating system was to chuck out those who have a history of nuisance, violence or unruly behavior. With the growing tide of new customers and drivers entering into these rideshare apps every day, it has become immensely difficult to track and monitor such passengers or drivers. Plus even a 5 star rated passenger might have a bad day and might behave very roughly. According to US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, taxi drivers are 20 times more likely to get murdered than other workers.

Keeping safety in mind, Uber launched a toy called Bop-It, a puzzle game. The intention of the game is simple – to distract the drunk and intoxicated passengers and keep them busy in the game. They also have introduced mirrors that face passengers. According to them, the mirrors might make the passenger realize the nuisance he has been creating and he might become more self aware.

However not all drivers are satisfied with these safety measures. They firmly believe that there needs to be proper training for drivers to fend for themselves and counter unruliness. There needs to be more red tape while filtering passengers. Dashboard cameras should be compulsory and they need to be provided either complimentary or at discounted rates. Also the geolocation feature can be modelled accordingly to provide for drivers instructions of where and how to find help in cases of emergency.

Depreciation costs

Lyft and Uber have bonuses to offer but they do not have any provision to account for any depreciation costs which might be possible. Short distance, busy city driving is very rough for the car and is the cause of most of the depreciation. It is high time that Lyft and Uber pay attention to the damage that the car faces every day and make provisions of allowing monetary relief on account of depreciation.

Waiting time

There is no money involved in waiting. That’s quite a pitfall when you have to wait in between rides and keep waiting for the next passenger. If the apps refuse to direct you passengers for some technical glitch, you are basically out of business for the day.

Independent contractor status of drivers/partners

Since these companies identify drivers as independent contractors, the companies do owe the drivers any kind of benefits. There are some lawsuits brought against Uber and Lyft, and other companies in the freelancing/gig economy. But it remains to be seen how this plays out.

Fear of being dismissed

That constant fear ensures you to maintain a five star customer satisfaction. But then being dismissed with those constant 5 stars is also a possibility. It is highly probable that you might get dismissed for an accident you were not responsible for.

Additional Resources and References

This article has barely scratched the surface when it comes to driving for ride-share apps like Uber and Lyft. If you want to learn more about this brave new world, please make sure to visit the following websites and blogs: